Letter: Many reasons to oppose Old Orchard Farm development

Posted 12/6/18

I am writing to express my opposition to the proposed development of more than 30 homes on the Old Orchard Farm property off Hope Street. At the Bristol Planning Board meetings in October and …

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Letter: Many reasons to oppose Old Orchard Farm development

Posted

I am writing to express my opposition to the proposed development of more than 30 homes on the Old Orchard Farm property off Hope Street. At the Bristol Planning Board meetings in October and November, residents expressed a variety of concerns about the development.

One was the impact on traffic on Hope Street, which is already frustratingly congested. Others expressed concerns about the impact on the school system and town services. Drainage and water pressure also were questioned.

Overdevelopment of the town was another concern. One board member expressed his concerns, saying Bristol is turning into another East Providence. I grew up in East Providence and I knew exactly what he meant — farmlands turned into plat after plat after plat.

Once the land is developed, there is no going back. Open space provides habitats for animals, and trees that filter the air we need to breathe. I overlook the Old Orchard Farm property. I see a variety of birds and animals. At night, I hear owls and sometimes the yipping of coyotes. It is special, and I feel very fortunate to have those experiences.

The decimation of that habitat would be a travesty. Our natural surroundings are already struggling with the effects of global warming.

So, think about it. Do you like sitting in traffic, breathing in unhealthy air, silent springs and concrete jungles? Or, do you appreciate a good quality of life, and care for our environment?

I moved from East Providence to Bristol because of the town’s charm, natural surroundings and open spaces.
The next Bristol Planning Board meeting is Thursday, Dec. 13, at 7 p.m. in Town Hall. I am urging residents to attend the meeting and state their opposition to the proposed housing development.

Patricia E. Chalmers
Bristol

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